Person    | Female  Born 19/2/1919  Died 18/12/2000

Betty Westgate

Categories: Medicine

Health campaigner. When diagnosed with breast cancer, she was dismayed at the lack of information and support for sufferers of the disease. This led her to found the charity which was to become Breast Cancer Care. In the 1970s, before breast reconstruction became widespread, post-operative women were advised to stuff handkerchiefs, cotton wool, or even tights into their bras. This spurred her to design the 'Cumfie', which was soft, washable and spin-dryable.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Betty Westgate

Commemorated ati

Betty Westgate

Betty Westgate MBE, 1919 - 2000, a pioneer and campaigner for breast cancer s...

Read More

Other Subjects

Dr William Henry Walter

Dr William Henry Walter

Medical doctor and member of Brentford Council in 1909.

Person, Medicine, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
W. G. Grace

W. G. Grace

Cricketer and medical practitioner. Born William Gilbert Grace at Clematis House, Downend, Mangotsfield, near Bristol. He started playing first-class cricket for Gloucestershire in 1864. Took his m...

Person, Medicine, Sport / Games, Canada, USA

4 memorials
Cedric Keith Simpson

Cedric Keith Simpson

Forensic pathologist. Born Brighton. When Simpson became interested in forensics Bernard Spilsbury was practically the only other person in the field. Spilsbury was not interested in training other...

Person, Medicine

1 memorial
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

Born in Whitechapel. She was the first female doctor to be trained in Britain and went on to promote the medical training of women at a time when medicine was an all-male profession.  Elder sister ...

Person, Gender Issues, Medicine

3 memorials